Hibernian Football Club have decided to part ways with head coach David Gray as the team finds itself sitting ninth in the Scottish Premiership. The decision comes on the back of a disappointing run of form, highlighted by a fourth league defeat in just six matches this season when the Edinburgh side were beaten by bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday. While the club did manage to reach the semi‑finals of the Scottish League Cup, their European ambitions were snuffed out earlier in the campaign after a Conference League play‑off loss to Belgian side Gent. The defeat added to a worrying trend that stretches back to the previous campaign: Hibs have now suffered six consecutive league defeats at Easter Road, matching a club record that was last set in 1920.
Gray, who was given a permanent contract in June 2024 after serving three separate spells as interim manager, signed a three‑year deal at the age of 38. He retired from playing five years ago to focus on a coaching career, and his name is still remembered fondly by supporters for the dramatic winner he netted against Rangers in 2016 – a goal that ended a 114‑year wait for the club to lift the Scottish Cup. When he first took charge, the outlook was optimistic. In the 2024/25 season Hibs finished third, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish recorded the year before.
However, the recent slide down the table, leaving the club just two points above the relegation zone, prompted the board to act. The Easter Road hierarchy concluded that a change was necessary to halt the decline. The sacking marks the sixth permanent manager to leave the club in less than five years.
Former bosses Jack Ross departed in December 2021, Shaun Maloney followed five months later, Lee Johnson left a year after that, and Nick Montgomery was dismissed in the summer of May 2024 before Gray’s tenure began. In the interim, first‑team coach John Potter will take charge for the upcoming Saturday fixture against Aberdeen, while the club has said it will announce a new permanent manager "in due course". Club executive chairman Ian Gordon issued a statement praising Gray’s contributions: "Dave has been an inspirational figure at the club during his time here, and he has been a true friend and fantastic colleague to so many at the football club.
On behalf of my family, I would like to personally thank him for everything he has done for us since we joined the club. As a person, he constantly set the standard with his attitude, professionalism and general work ethic and he will be sorely missed around the building by all the players and staff. On the pitch, he has delivered some incredible moments for our fans, and brought a level of stability and consistency that we haven't reached in recent years. Ultimately, this is a decision that we have not taken lightly, but unfortunately, one as a board we had to make due to the recent downturn of results and performances." Gray, however, remained defiant after the loss to Kilmarnock.
In an interview with Sky Sports he said: "I've been here during difficult times and I've been here during good times and you can't just say it's brilliant when things are going well and then not expect a bit of criticism when things aren't. In terms of asking for patience, the fans are frustrated because we're not achieving what we need to be at this stage and winning enough games consistently, especially at home. And I accept that. All I can say is until someone tells me otherwise, I will be doing everything in my power, everything I possibly can as I have done at this football club to turn it around and I believe we can.
It's a difficult time for everybody, the players, football club, because we've lost again off the back of a good result at the weekend and then failed to back it up again." The dismissal underscores the volatility that has characterised Hibernian's managerial landscape in recent years. Frequent changes at the helm have made it difficult to establish a long‑term playing philosophy, and supporters have grown increasingly restless as the team struggles to translate occasional cup runs into consistent league performances.
The club now faces the challenge of finding a manager who can restore confidence, stabilize results at Easter Road, and ultimately steer Hibs away from the relegation battle. In the short term, John Potter's interim stewardship will be closely watched. He will need to motivate a squad that has endured a string of setbacks and rally them for the crucial encounter with Aberdeen. The outcome of that match could influence the board's approach to the permanent appointment, as they seek a candidate capable of delivering both immediate points and a sustainable vision for the future.
As the season progresses, the pressure will mount on Hibernian to break the losing streak and climb the table. The club's supporters, known for their passionate loyalty, will be hoping that the next managerial appointment brings the stability and tactical clarity that have been missing. Only time will tell whether the next head coach can rewrite the narrative that has seen Hibs teeter on the edge of the relegation zone after a series of disappointing results.